Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 684: Something Was Wrong

"Someone in this hall attempted to manipulate me through a spell," Aldric announced, his voice echoing off the high, stone walls. With his gaze unwavering, he waited for the pandemonium he was sure this was likely going to elicit.

For a moment, it was as if time itself had stopped. Nearly every face in the room turned pale, every movement stilled. The air was thick with anticipation, the silence so profound it was almost tangible.

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, startled gasps erupted across the hall. Faces twisted in shock and disbelief. Murmurs began to rise, at first soft and hesitant, then growing louder and more insistent with each passing second.

"Who would dare?"

"Is he serious?"

"This is an outrage!"

The whispers and exclamations blended together into a cacophony of unrest. People shifted uncomfortably, casting suspicious glances at one another. Fear and curiosity mingled, creating an electric atmosphere that crackled with tension.

Islinda in question was unfazed by the shock of the revelation since this had been her and Eli’s plan all along. Instead of joining the frenzied crowd, she kept her eyes fixed on Elena.

Unlike the other faeries, whose reactions ranged from outrage to shock and fear, Elena stood serene and composed. Outrage simmered among the faeries, many of whom expressed disbelief and anger at the audacity of manipulating a royal. Some were paralyzed with fear, haunted by the belief that this was a trap set by the prince to frame and execute them as he had done to the high faeries.

Elena, however, was different. She was a stark contrast to the chaos around her; Elena remained an island of calm. Hence Islinda watched her with a narrowed gaze. Initially, Islinda thought Elena’s calm demeanor was a façade, a mask to hide her inner turmoil. But as the moments stretched on, unease began to gnaw at Islinda’s confidence.

The air in the hall grew thicker with tension, every second ticking by with excruciating slowness. Islinda studied every minute detail of Elena’s posture and expression, searching for any clue that might reveal her true intentions.

It was just something about Elena’s poise that felt off, as though she held a secret that could shift the balance of power in her favor. Islinda’s mind couldn’t help but begin to race.

Could Elena have anticipated their plan? Was there a backup plan Elena had that she wasn’t aware of? Perhaps allies she could have manipulated as well, hidden in plain sight, and waiting to turn the tide in her favor? A hidden ace that could unravel her and Eli’s carefully laid plans?

Islinda had a nagging feeling that she might have underestimated Elena, and her instincts were hardly ever wrong. The uneasy sensation grew, tightening like a vice around her thoughts. She quickly glanced towards Eli, their eyes met, and in that brief moment, she hastily communicated the urgency to proceed. They needed to get this over with—Elena was up to something, she could feel it.

At that moment, a high Fae stood up and said, "With all due respect lord Aldric, but where is your right hand fae Karle, especially in a situation like this. By chance, don’t tell me he’s really the one who tried manipulating you through a spell."

Another round of murmuring arose and Aldric lifted his hand and the noise died at once. He said straightforwardly, "Your former high lord and my uncle Karle is not here because he’s dead. He was killed by the same person who attempted to manipulate me through the spell."

There was another uproar and unlike the first time there was anger among the mix of emotions filling the air. Who would dare? Karle had been beloved amongst the high Faeries because he had been able to fill their empty greedy pockets. Not to mention, he was a high Fae and they took care of each other.

"Silence!" The same Fae ordered and the silence slowly died off.

Islinda guessed the high Fae must be among the hierarchy with how easily he commanded the others. He then turned to Aldric and said, "If you wouldn’t mind my lord, why don’t you tell us the name of this Fae?! Let us tear him from limb to limb! Let us avenge Karle! Whoever did this would have to pay with their blood."

Islinda saw the smirk that curled Eli’s lips, he was satisfied with their reaction. This was exactly what the dark Fae prince wanted, for the court’s anger to reach the apex, so he could relish their expressions faltering when they realized the culprit was no other but their respectable Elena of the Raysin family.

"Of course, since you want a name, I’ll give you one. After all, how can I deny my lovely court the privilege to exact revenge. Even I’m pained by my uncle’s tragic demise," Aldric said, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. Unlike the others, Islinda was not fooled by the facade. Eli was enjoying this.

Eli turned to them with his piercing blue gaze," The culprit is not other than —" He suddenly halted, clutching his temple.

Islinda frowned.

Eli attempted again, "The culprit is —ugh," He groaned in pain, clutching his temples.

"Fuck...." Islinda cursed under her breath. She didn’t know what the hell was happening, but it couldn’t be a coincidence that it was happening the moment he wanted to give the court a name.

At this point, even members of the court began to express concern when prince Aldric lowered his head, seemingly going through something they couldn’t understand.

"The culprit is...."

"Eli..." Islinda was up at her feet at once and tried approaching the dais to get to him, but before she could think of it, a guard blocked her path.

No one comes near the crown prince, not during a court proceedings. Not unless he called for her.

Islinda realized the rule at the last minute and began to beg the guard, "Please, let me see me. Something seems to be wrong with prince Aldric."

Except her pleas fell on deaf ears.